Austin underwent surgery in December to fight prostate cancer. As a result of this procedure, he developed a urinary tract infection. Before that, he was admitted to a hospital in Washington on New Year's Day.
The Minister of Defense remained in the hospital for several days, and ended up briefly in intensive care, according to American media. Austin later expressed his regret for not informing President Biden.
“I realize I could have done a better job ensuring the public was informed,” Austin wrote in a brief statement. The White House did not see the need to dismiss the minister.
According to the hospital, 70-year-old Austin's infection is now over and he is recovering well. However, it may take some time before the minister fully recovers. The hospital maintains that Austin “was never unconscious or under sedation.”
